Is backgammon only for old people?

Let’s address the stereotype: backgammon is an old-person game.

But is it really?

Yes, you can almost picture someone’s grandfather saying, “Your turn.”

And if the only time you’ve seen backgammon is on holiday, in a café or at your grandparents’ house, it’s easy to think: isn’t this just a game for old people?

Not quite.

In fact, there’s a good reason people keep playing backgammon for decades.

It’s a game you can grow into

One of the things that makes backgammon different is that you don’t really outgrow it.

You can learn the basic rules in an afternoon. At first, you’re mostly trying to remember which way your checkers go. Then you start noticing the strategy.

Should you take a risk? Protect your checkers? Block your opponent? Push ahead or slow things down?

The better you get, the more interesting the decisions become.

You can play casually with someone who has never played before, or spend years trying to improve your game. There’s always something else to figure out.

The dice keep things interesting

If backgammon were purely about skill, it might become a little predictable. Thankfully, the dice have other ideas.

A great roll can completely change a game and a terrible one can turn a confident position into a small disaster.

That means you can’t simply rely on experience. You have to react to what’s happening. And it gives beginners a fighting chance.

You might know exactly what you’re doing. Then your opponent rolls double sixes. Good luck with that.

Why do people play backgammon for decades?

Because the game changes as you do.

When you’re younger, it might be something you play with friends on holiday or at a café. Later, it might become a game you play with your partner, your parents or your children.

It can be competitive when you want it to be, or completely casual. You can play for five minutes or settle in for a longer game.

And unlike many activities, it doesn’t require you to be particularly energetic, athletic or even particularly social. You just need a board, some dice and another person.

That makes it a game you can keep coming back to throughout your life.

It’s also about the person across the board

Maybe this is the biggest reason people stick with backgammon. The game gives you an excuse to spend time with someone.

You don’t have to plan an elaborate evening. You sit down, roll the dice and start playing. The board gives you something to share. You talk about the game or about everything else.

That’s why the game can become part of family traditions, friendships and relationships. The memories aren’t only about who won, but who you were playing with.

So no, you don’t need to be old

Backgammon has been around for thousands of years, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait a few decades before playing it.

The same things that make it enjoyable at 83 make it enjoyable at 21.

It’s easy to start, yet hard to master. It’s a little unpredictable and better with someone else.

Maybe that’s why the “old people’s game” stereotype exists in the first place. People who discover backgammon often don’t stop playing. They just keep getting older while the game comes with them.

So, no. Backgammon isn’t only for old people. It’s just one of those games you can enjoy at every age.

And if you’ve never played, you’re already old enough to start.